Balance. Fear. Duty.
War.
Fighting, it doesn't solve much. But why do we do it? Is it for some higher purpose? Or are we just like dogs running around after our master's words? Questioning things is good, Questioning things infront of people who think they're right all the time isn't good. Stealing, killing. Making friends, smiling, laughing, maybe that's what I thought I could get from it. I never had a real family, since my only real one was destroyed and I couldn't do anything. Some should think lucky, or maybe it's just me.
Chapter 2: Galta and Leo's friends.
Sooner or later I kind of knew that I'd be picked up by the light. But not taken 1000 years into the future.
"Mama..." Leo mumbled rolling around ion his sleep. "Torah!" Ava-Lee gasped quickly snapping up into a sitting position. Looking around she quickly settled and laid back down "Torah..." she murmured. She turned her head to come face to face with Lance. His sleeping face showed innocence, peace and forgiveness towards her. The harsh words spoken between them had stayed fresh in her mind. Uncontrolably she slowly reached towards his face, clearing it of a hair. That moment she smiled and then something hit her. "I heard you." Sean said sharply looking down at her. "I know, I thought you were still sleeping. Guess you're an earlier riser, eh?" she giggled, throwing an arm over her shoulder nervously "I understand if you don't trust me, but the thing is I need you guys more than ever."
Sean looked at her before turning around and saying "Well, then can you help me pack? I always have trouble with this." Ava helped Sean pack up. Lance was soon disturbed by a foot in the face "Leo! Wash your feet!" he yelled, jumping to his feet, rubbing his face hoping to remove the smell of Leo's feet. "Yea, mama, but...what about the cakes?" Leo mumbled rolling over onto his chest. "Blech that was the grossest thing I've ever smelt and tasted "he complain turning to Sean" Where is she?" Sean looked up and laughed at the look on his face "With all the money Leo has he could afford soap, but I guess her rather not. As for Ava, well, the Morphs tore her clothes up pretty bad, so I gave her some sheets and extra clothing to repair or make some. She's just on the edge of the Jungle a little west of here" he said pointing. "I'll go check on her then." Lance said assuming that it was a good idea "Make sure she's not up to no good." Sean nodded.
A little west and on the edge of the jungle sat the mangled dressed Ava. "Damn needle! I guess this is why I'm better with swords and arrows" she whined, trying to avoid being stabbed by the needle she was using. "Oooo, this is just great." She complained trying to sew a misshaped sheet. A rustling sound in the bushes made her jump. Now standing, she waited. "Ha, ha, ha, sorry bout that, next time I should warn..." he stopped staring at her. Her dress revealed most of her skin but not the main areas. A strap that held slid off her shoulder revealed a part that men rarely see in a heartless. "Yes, next time and what are you staring at? Is there something behind me?" She asked turning around on one foot revealing her smooth leg. Lance gulped "I-i-i-I came to see how you were doing, I can handle needle and thread and I heard what you were saying from the beach" he breathed looking away from her. "Maybe, but I can handle anything, just need patience. I'm almost done." She said picking up the misshaped bit of cloth and giving him an odd look "Why is your face red? Haven't you ever seen a girl before?" Lance's eyes widen, he'd been caught out "Girl, yes, but heartless no. There's one thing about you. You look human and have human features but you aren't. You're a heartless." he stated hoping to get out of this odd situation. "You seem to be avoiding something, is it that you find me attractive light seeker? Surely, you do not, for I am not your kind, sir." She smirked. His mouth open ready to talk but no words came from it, stunned for a minute that he'd found this girl or whatever she was attractive. He closed his mouth and watched her sew. After a few minutes of silence, Ava rose from her sitting position on the rock "Done, and now, if you may turn around so I can see if it fits, hm?" she insisted. He turned around. "Yknow, it's been awhile since I left Sean. And I still have Leo's foot smell on my face. I should go back." He said.
"No, I'm done now. You can turn around and tell me what you think. "She said, Lance turned and to his surprise she looked good."Well, that's good. You're covered." He laughed. Her dress was long, a piece of sheet tied around underneath her bust holding the dress tight around the upper area, long selves. "It'll do till I can get some armor." she said pacing past him. He turned and followed her along the beach to the packed camp. Sean and Leo were talking when they arrived. "Took you guys long enough" Leo hinted "What were you two doing?" Sean narrowed his eyes at Leo before throwing a pan at his head "Ow. Hey! I just asked a question. Don't have to be so mean" Leo whimpered. Ava sat down next to Sean whilst Lance went to see if he could find a clue to find the next town. "Leo, what're you doing?" She asked. He was scurrying through the sand again "Looking for shells". "Oh, okay, that's oddly good. Heh heh." She joked nervously. Lance came back and they left the camp site. "Llama, llama, llama, llama..." Leo sang, annoying the others, skipping and jumping around 'ooo'ing at everything shiny.
They stopped for a break soon after "So in which direction do we head?" Sean asked. "North, for about 2 or 3 miles. We'll get there soon." Lance replied looking confident. "And you know this how?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "Uh, there's a sign, there." he answered pointing to a small wooden sign saying 'Galta, North, 2 or 3 miles'. "Oh. Galta sounds interesting." She said softly, eating a small loaf of bread. "Did you say Galta?" Leo asked popping out of nowhere again. "Yes, she did, and that happens to be the next town, Leo, why do you ask?" Lance asked half scared by Leo's mysterious popping out of nowhere. "Galta's my home. Haven't been there in about, hmmm, 4 years." He sighed "And now, I'm returning but not forever, never liked it much. I even never missed it." Sean choked "You never missed your home? What kind of person are you? Or aren't you human at all?" The three laughed before Leo stopped and said "Well, unlike some I just don't consider it a place that I want to be. I'm human, your not. I'd rather be here with my friends."."Leo, we need good armor for her, since she can fight. I don't think we stand much of a chance with one fighter." Lance insisted finishing his loaf. "Sure, no problem. But I can fight and so can Sean. I think." He joked. The four laughed as they finished there loaf and started to walk again. Heading towards Galta.
"So what's Galta like?" Sean asked, keeping aside of Leo. "Well they say, nowadays, Galta is the city of...whoa..." He stopped still staring at a huge battle domed city. "Whoa is right. What the hell is Galta?" Lance asked. "A battle city, like 1000's of years ago. If you know the history." Ava smiled. "Yeah, how do you know that? It was a battle city thousands of years ago. People fought here and gained prizes. Sometimes even positions as king. But the domes were destroyed by the Arthis war." Leo stated looking at the amazing view stretching over a valley of huge domes. The sounds of swords and screaming fans rose above the busy market. "I guess they wanted the fame again" Sean joked. "We should all enter. Win a bit of money." Ava added trying not to sound like she wanted to. "Yeah, it'll give these two a chance to prove themselves fighting" Lance smirked looking back at Leo and Sean.
Galta. Galta was a place I ruled and destroyed. Coming back made me think about it differently.
"But I don't wanna fight. No, no, no, no, no, no! I refuse to!" Leo whined, being dragged through the streets. "Ha, ha. Well, well, well. If it isn't little old Tiny. Haven't seen you in years, still backing out of fights, and taking insults well." The stranger laughed. "And who's this pretty young damsel with you. Mighty fine prize if you ask me". "Uh, yeah, prize" Ava rolled her eyes. "That's Ava, she's okay I guess, But Hren what are you doing here? Aren't you a Knight yet?" Leo asked. "No, I'm the law around and I make sure people fight. And make sure that the prizes are always available." He snickered. Ava gave a disgusted looked. "Hm, good, just in time. We're registering, can you tell us where?" Lance asked stepping in front of Ava, Blocking her from Hren's view. "Three of ya, well, you go left-" he was interrupted by lance "Make that four, she's fighting too." Lance added looking over his shoulder at the blonde girl. "Ha, well, she'll have to go as a prize too. Since you don't have anything major on you, from what I can see." he said looking over Lance's shoulder "Well, you'll need to go straight down and left at the fountain, then you'd go right, another right the third one down. In the house with the yellow sign should be Mari, she'll register ya. Just make sure she's a prize, otherwise you'll be refused. 4 events to get to the finals. Archery. Sword Fighting. Jousting. And a new one, Transforming. Some strange people have turned up and they seem to be able to change into things. But the thing is they have to fight. It's a good laugh, when the goose's come out." He cackled before running off after another group of people.
When they arrived, Mari was sitting out side at a desk signing scroll after scroll. "What's your team name? And what's your prize for the tournament?" she asked, her voice scratchy and annoying. "Uh, Wolf Scabbard, and our prize is her." He said pulling Ava forward by her arm. Mari looked up at Ava and gave a wide-mouthed smile "Indeed, she'll need to go to the foyer after she's done with her events. Who and what event?" She continued, scribbling down. "Lance West, I'll take sword fighting. Leo Poyser will take Jousting. Sean Light, will take transforming. And I guess, she'll take Archery." Lance stated looking satisfied with the decision. "And who is she?" Mari said giving a cheeky smile at Ava. "I'm Ava-Lee" She said, looking forward at Mari. "Okay, you're registered, you'll need to go to forth dome. If you reach the finals, she'll be able to fight. The finals are an all weapons round, you're given a choice and you simply select one. You must defeat your opponent within the time limit set by the hourglass." Mari stopped to breathe, "Is that clear?". "Clear as crystal" Lance answered dragging the four off and around the corner." Leo, get us our weapons and armor. Now!" Lance ordered. "Yes, sir, Lucky for you I found Lined shells, they're worth a fair bit." Leo said before running off. "I'm not sure about Ava being a prize. What happens if we lose?" Sean asked concerned. "Well, then we won't have to lose." Lance said looking at Ava's face.
Leo returned ten minutes later " I am going to need Ava for a bit, she might need to try it on. And here's yours, new armor for you two and Me." he finished handing them some armor. Lance and Sean got a small shield, a chest plate and arm guards. "Why such light armor?" Sean asked, looking at Leo's so-called armor. "For speed, right? Agility is needed if you're a thief and the lighter the armor the faster you can go" Ava said, Leo smiled. Leo grabbed Ava's arm and dragged her to an armory.
"So, this is the girl. The one for the armor." said a dirty faced boy no older then 17. "Yeah, she needs a personal touch I think. Henry, do you think you'll be able?" Leo asked. Henry smiled "Yeah. Kathy's here too, she's been waiting Leo. She'll do your actually dress and some clothes for you." Henry said slamming a huge mallet on a stick of hot metal. "Thank you. Are you and Leo here, close?" She asked stepping forward. But before Henry could answer "Leo! Oh Heaven on earth, it's great to see you again. 4 years, has it not been?" Screamed a fairly dirty girl. She smiled wide, her voice cheerful and welcoming "And you are?". "Ava-Lee, I'm an acquaintance to your friend Leo. And I assume my guess was right you're close. Leo, why didn't you mention you had friends here?" Ava said looking at Leo and the rest with interest. "Well, I didn't know they were still here, he, he. But anyways, thank you, Henry, Kathy. This means much to me and my new friends." Leo bowed. "No problem. Ava, will you come with me? I need to see what sizes you are." Kathy said pushing Ava up a small stair case.
"So you entered?" Henry asked continuing his metal work. "Yeah and she's the prize." Leo said. "Well, if she's the Prize then I better make a good dress for her. It might be the only time left she'll be able to wear one." Kathy said running around grabbing things before heading back up the stair case. "Be careful. Lately, there are four people who've been winning tournaments. Freaks of nature they've been called, killing every opponent. I don't want you dead, Leo." Henry said sincerely. Leo bowed his head "I'm better than that now. I only steal for a need, not just because I can." He said turning to see Ava "Whoa, talk about...whoa". Ava was wearing a wrap around leather skirt with a strapped top. There were leather ties all around her arms to keep her arm guards on, tall battle leather boots, with straps to keep them on tightly. "Nice, you do good work." Ava commented, making Kathy blush lightly before walking over and pulling a sword off the wall. "I'd recognize a Knight anywhere. Here take this sword. A warrior gave it to us for food. He told us "You must give this sword to thou who deserves to be free of thy past" I believe that you are that person, Dark Knight." Kathy bowed. Ava looked upon her nodding her head in agreement. Henry and Leo bowed too. "A Knight, a Lady Knight. So strong." Henry whispered handing over a light armor. "Thank you, and I wish good business" She smiled walking out and down the street, Leo following soon behind.
People knew, from the tattoo on my back. A dark mark. An honorable mark, Torah said. But what do I know?
"There they are!" Sean yelled, standing on the corner of a food stand. Lance stared at Ava before shaking his head and saying "We've got to go, our event begin soon. And I've heard rumors." .
Rumors aren't good, even if they are wrong or right. But sometimes, I prefer that they are wrong.
I remember the battle over Galta, tough, challenging and well...fair.
The Battle of Galta.
This fierce battle raging on between the warriors of Galta and the army of Darkness. Men and women fighting for what they believed to be true. "Foolish mortal!" a giant, muscle bound man yelled striking his human opponent with his board sword, sweeping it, chopping of their heads. Hearing their screams "Bulbous! Stop fooling around we have to find that heir." commanded Ava, Pointing her light sword at his neck, threatening him. Before running off deeper into the battle field before killing whoever or what got in her way. Slicing and dicing all the entire mortals. Soaked in there red blood, the smell, the taste. Ignoring all the elements around her she continued her rampage. She made her way to a dome, strutting in, showing no mercy to who tried to either run from or defend the place. Coming around a corner she was attacked by a gladiator. There swords clanging as they fought, blocking each others attacking. She pulled out a dagger and stabbed him. He fell to the ground bleeding "Oh poor poo-key, maybe next time" she laughed, caressing his face before walking off.
Opening the huge, tall, wide doors that could only mean royalty. Men surrounded her, swords at the ready. "Oh, all this for me! I'm...just so" she paused giving a happy smiley face "ready to cause you pain" she finished drawing her sword. "I'll make this easy, either you walk out now alive or stay here and get killed, it's simple. And I even have a bonus prize for the one whom out lasts the others. I'll make them feel pain" she giggled. "Not you won't!" one screamed charging at her. With that and a quick slash of her blade. He fell in two. Equally halved. "So, leave or die? Any takers?" she said smugly. All you could hear was the smalls screams of the men for a few minutes. One man remained, fairly scrawny chap, weak looking, scared shitless. "Boo!" she yelled sending him running. She laughed as Bulbous walked in smirking "Aw, no fun for me, huh? Kill all the guards and leave one scrawny brat which you scared away. Your meaner then I thought." he joked. Sliding his sword back in his scabbard.
She opened the last doors. Looking at the throne she saw a young man ready to die. "Ah, you've come. I didn't want defenses but my subject's refuse." he spoke calmly waiting. She paced her ways, her armor clinking. "So, you're their brave warrior, a woman. How unusual. Must be a new thing." He smiled. Ava's heart skipped, keeping her calm, she readied her blade. Its shine still there underneath the human's blood. "I'll do this quick, your majesty" she bowed. "I know, you always do" He smiled again. Raising her blade, and using full force, stabbing him through the skull. His blood soaked face seemed to be still smiling. Ava's face showed little emotion, as she left with no blade.
Walking around the body filled battle field she looked around searching for signs of a newer weapon, finding a sword. The sword was just right long bladed, light, and swift,. Picking it up, still in its scabbard. She used this. Written on the blade 'Demitree'.
Demitree, you have returned to me. Why is that? After I gave you to a foolish child. I'm sorry old friend, its good to be back again.